2010-2011 Book in Common:
Windmill-Building Competition
William Kamkwamba, the author of this year’s book in common, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, built a windmill out of a bicycle and recycled material when he was just 14 years old. In celebration of his accomplishment, which improved the life of the people in his village, the A.S. Mentor Student Association is hosting a Windmill-Building Competition.
On October 9, from 9:00-2:00, campus and community teams will gather together to construct “art windmills” at the Gateway Museum in honor of the Book in Common. Judging will take place at 2:00 p.m. and awards will be announced at 3:00 pm.The windmills must be made of recycled or found materials, and each windmill must have blades that can actually rotate in the wind. The windmills will compete in four categories; teams may enter their windmill into a category of their choice. The categories are: Most Functional, Most Artistic, Most Whimsical, and Best Junior Prize (which will go to a team with two or more participants ages 12 or under). Prizes are $100, to be donated to an organization or cause of the team’s choice. The winning windmills will be stored and available for view on December 7, between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m., in the BMU auditorium. They will be auctioned off to support author William Kamkwamba’s school scholarships program, described in this way on his Moving Windmills website: Your donations provide students with an essential step in building a better future for themselves and for Africa. A $75 annual tuition sends students of age 14-18 to public secondary day school, while a $125 annual tuition for boarding school students includes books and uniforms.
Register your team to participate! Teams may have three to five members. Registration takes place online; please complete the short form by October 5, 2010. Please note that a waiver must be filled out if there are team members under the age of 18, and this should be brought with you and handed in at the registration table the day of the event.
Teams should plan to bring their own tools, sack lunches (beverages and cookies will be provided), and all of the materials they want to use to create a windmill. We ask that no saws and no electric tools be brought onto the field. Beverages and cookies will be provided. Building commences at 9 a.m. and concludes by 2 p.m. Several prizes will be awarded to teams, who will each be asked to designate a Chico non-profit for receipt of the award. Teams of all ages and from all walks of life are invited to take part. There is no registration fee, but teams MUST sign up in advance.
Co-sponsored by MSA & the First-Year Experience Program.
More information about speakers, events, and community actions inspired by this year's Book in Common selection, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, can be found at: